Question NW125 to the Minister of Environmental Affairs

Share this page:

28 February 2017 - NW125

Profile picture: Purdon, Mr RK

Purdon, Mr RK to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

(1)Has the proposed Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) in the Kruger National Park been established; if not, (a) when will it be established and (b) why has it been delayed; if so, (i) when was it established and (ii) has she found it to be successful; (2) what (a) are the cost implications, (b) is the budget allocation and (c) systems are in place to measure the success or failures of the IPZ?

Reply:

1. (a- b – ii)

The Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) has been implemented by the end of 2016. As it is a partial solution due the cost of the equipment and technologies involved, outstanding priorities were determined carefully to serve as inputs into next phases of the project as and when donor money becomes available. The project contributed significantly to the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) reduction in Rhino poaching, about twenty percent reduction in rhino’s poached last year. In the Operational Control Cell, all high value assets are measured for performance to ensure the continuous improvement. This is applicable to the perimeter detection systems, stand-alone sensor arrays, area surveillance systems, canine deployment, reaction force interventions and air wing operations.

2. (a – b)

The IPZ project to address the abovementioned costs about one hundred and sixty million rand (R160 million) and will require about ten million rand per year to maintain.

(c) There are management and monitoring systems in place to ensure continuous evaluation of effectiveness of interventions in the IPZ. In addition, there are forensic facilities and laboratories that provides scientific based support for investigations.

---ooOoo---

Source file